NextThreeDays: Event Display

Live at the Lyric: The Slackers with special guests The Pietasters
Venue: Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg
Directions: Google Map Link
Organizations: The Pietasters, The Slackers
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
Time: 7:30 - 10:30 PM
Event Types: Music, Arts & Theatre
Cost:
Bronze Tickets: $25.00 Silver Tickets: $28.00 Gold Tickets: $32.00 Platinum Tickets: $35.00

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Description:
The Lyric Theatre continues their Live at the Lyric series featuring The Slackers with special guests The Pietasters in concert on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

For over 30 years, the New York City-based and critically acclaimed Slackers have been touring the world with their blend of ska, reggae, soul and rock 'n roll. Since 1991, the Slackers have released fifteen albums and countless singles, while their 1000s of live performances feed their fans with energetic sets of ecstatic music.

The press state that the Slackers are "the best ska band in the world" (Rude International), "the pick of the US crop" (Metal Hammer), "the sound of New York" (New York Times), "is about as close to perfect as it gets" (Ink 19), and "one of the best bands in the United States" (axs.com).

In April 2022, The Slackers released a new album, "Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya" (Pirates Press) which quickly shot to the top of the US billboard charts. This is the first time that a Slackers’ album has charted!

The chart topping performance of "Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya" capped a two year comeback of the Slackers. When Covid stopped live shows in 2020, the Slackers pivoted to livestreams and made five full band concerts that were broadcast internationally. After the shows, they stayed in the studio and recorded the tunes that became "Sunlight".

Links:

• https://www.theslackers.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/theslackers
• https://www.instagram.com/theslackersband/

The seed was planted in 1990. A bunch of friends started a band with no pretensions: the idea was to make music for house parties, not to make a career out of music. The band members grew up in and around Washington, D.C. The scene was small and all the Punks, Skins, and Mods intermixed in those days.

This varied influence is what informed the covers that the Pietasters played and the originals they wrote trying to emulate their favorite bands. From Two-Tone Ska, to Jamaican crooners like Alton Ellis, to Stax, Motown, harDCore, and British Punk, the Pietasters played what they liked to play and the house partiers appreciated the mix and crammed into basements and living rooms for sweaty all night keg drinking and dancing.

Playing on weekends and during the summer they slowly expanded their touring area, made new friends, and gained the notice of music fans up and down the east coast. The influence of D.C.’s DIY punk scene informed the band of how you should tour, on your own terms. After releasing a self-titled album in 1993 they hit the road in an old school bus and headed west. Relentless touring through the early 90s got them friends all over the U.S.A. MOON Records took notice and the band released two albums, Oolooloo, and Strapped LIVE, on that storied label during the magic days of third wave ska alongside bands like Hepcat, The Slackers, Toasters, etc.

In 1997 Hellcat/Epitaph signed the band to a two album deal. At the same time ska blew up. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt, and Sublime ruled the airwaves. The Pietasters were lucky enough to tour extensively with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The Plaid Boys from Boston introduced the Pietasters to Europe and beyond as well as taking them on tours of the US and Canada. From this point on, the Pietasters were established as one of the best live shows money can buy. From the circus that is the Warped tour (US/Canada/Europe) to a once in a lifetime support slot with Joe Strummer, the Pietasters crisscrossed the world, leaving the dance floor covered in blood, sweat and beer.

In 2003 the Pietasters were chosen to back James Brown at the WHFS Holiday Nutcracker Ball at Washington, D.C.'s MCI Center. This was no support slot: this was the Pietasters playing as Mr. Brown's band for the night. This was the start of a friendship with the Godfather of Soul that lasted until his passing.

The Pietasters continue to deliver a world-class performance of their style of Ska, Rock and Soul - sing along songs and dance-through-your-socks rhythms played by friends who remain true to their roots.

Links:

• http://www.thepietasters.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/Pietasters/
• https://www.instagram.com/pietasters/

Tickets range from $25.00-$35.00 depending on your seat placement.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person at The Lyric Box Office. To purchase tickets online, visit: https://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=248857~4ab27fc5-7b1f-40ac-9bdb-32c61284f6ac&epguid=538611ae-7d38-4bdf-a9f5-0886a741dee4&showing=248859&.

For more information, visit: https://www.thelyric.com/event/the-slackers-with-special-guests-the-pietasters-live-at-the-lyric/ or https://www.facebook.com/lyric.blacksburg or https://www.instagram.com/thelyrictheatre/ or call 540-951-4771.